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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> Any trouble weaning off Verapamil?
        
(Message started by: Kris_in_SJ on Sep 3^rd, 2004, 8:44pm)

Title: Any trouble weaning off Verapamil?
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Sep 3^rd, 2004, 8:44pm

Hi All,

Technically, my most recent cycle has been over since mid-July. My doc has had me gradually reducing my Verapamil from 480mg/day. I'm down to 120mg now, but since going this low, it seems that I'm having those occasional "twinges" that aren't really shadows, but just a reminder that I still belong to the beast.

Has anyone else experienced this? Is it possibly just anxiety pains? I'm supposed to stop the Verap next week, but quite frankly I feel like a junky about to go "cold turkey."

Any input would be most welcome!

Kris

Title: Re: Any trouble weaning off Verapamil?
Post by eyes_afire on Sep 3^rd, 2004, 9:25pm

I used to be episodic.

Since then, I have never successfully tapered off verapamil. Tried several times... can't do it. Everytime I get clobbered. I guess I first tried verapamil a couple years ago. I'm trying to taper again... imitrex use increasing...

--- Steve

Title: Re: Any trouble weaning off Verapamil?
Post by Jonny on Sep 3^rd, 2004, 9:37pm

Talk with your Doc man, all you will get here is individual experiences that may be no where near yours.

Twice in twelve years I tried to taper off and it was a bad idea, so, im still on it.

Good luck

..........................jonny

Title: Re: Any trouble weaning off Verapamil?
Post by IndianaJohn on Sep 3^rd, 2004, 10:11pm

I'm coming off of it now without taper. So far so good. I'm getting the "twinges" too. Like the beast is fighting to come back and I'm just a little bit out of reach. Just finished a pred taper Monday and stopped the verap on Wednesday. I' ve been trying to figute out the smae thing. Though I can't tell if it's from coming off the Pred or stopping the verap. I definately feel that my cycle is ending.

Best PF Wishes!

Title: Re: Any trouble weaning off Verapamil?
Post by Biker on Sep 4^th, 2004, 8:33am

I never really had a problem getting off the Verapamil. I use it for a month or two after I think my cycle ends. I try and taper off really slow. If I feel twinges, or get a CH, I increase the verapamil for a week or so, then start to taper off again. Hey Indiania, I thought the Predisone was to keep the CH at bay while the Verapamil has time to kick in.

Title: Re: Any trouble weaning off Verapamil?
Post by Giovanni on Sep 4^th, 2004, 8:43am

Hey Kris,

Jonny right about talking to your doctor. Having said that, I would be reluctant to taper any more for a period of time. I would probably increase. You don't want these things to come back. Then after a month or so try it again with the taper. This is my opinion. Evidently you still have some activity going on.

John

Title: Re: Any trouble weaning off Verapamil?
Post by Ronny on Sep 4^th, 2004, 11:45am

on 09/03/04 at 20:44:48, Kris_in_SJ wrote:

it seems that I'm having those occasional "twinges" that aren't really shadows, but just a reminder that I still belong to the beast.

I know what you mean (at least i think i know).
Without verapamil now and i keep getting little stabs in the eye. Like on the top side of my eye, Not very hard but still annoying.

Ronny.

Title: Re: Any trouble weaning off Verapamil?
Post by jhgnopain on Sep 4^th, 2004, 3:34pm

I count myself very lucky because after my last cycle (2 years ago) and note that I am currently in a cycle again. I simply stopped taking the verap and was fine. We shall see what happens next this time? I am still on the verap and don't plan on quitting for a good long while yet. My neuro just gave me a five day pred Rx. I take that to be what is being referred to as a taper? I have been experiencing the "twinges" for several days now (this is only day 2 of pred). I fortunately escaped my primary care Dr. who did not know what cluster headaches are (kept calling them migraines). Thankfully I got a referral to a nuero who is recommended here.

Title: Re: Any trouble weaning off Verapamil?
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Sep 4^th, 2004, 7:59pm

Thanks for the input, guys.

I guess I was kinda feeling I wasn't ready yet. For some reason, Verapamil is like a little "lifeline" to me.

I'm pretty sure I'm not in cycle anymore - haven't had to use Trex since the middle of June, then shadows for another couple weeks, but nothing at all since then - until I got down to 120mg on the Verap.

I was really looking forward to a couple of "drug free" years,
but guess I can wait just a little longer.

You all are the best!

Kris

Title: Re: Any trouble weaning off Verapamil?
Post by IronHorse on Sep 5^th, 2004, 2:57am

I have just ended my 2 month cycle and interesting, about halfway my Dr. took me off Verapimil, ( I was have at least 1-2 ch's per day) and started me on Depakote ER 500 MG, one tablet twice a day, and Indomethacin 25 mg 3x day. I was maxing on the Imitrex dosage and needed a change.

The occurance of headaches dropped dramatically! I used Imitex as an abortive, but only once over 3-4 days.

However, I experienced some drowness from the Depakote, but it was worth it. In a nutshell, the Verapimil wasn't working for me.

I am so happy to end the cycle as I tested it (with hesitation). As most of you know, a beer can trigger a CH in no time, and I've been able to enjoy a few each of the last few days. Thats about the only thing that gets me though these bitch cycles, I know they will go away........I hope the same for all of you still fighting the beast......

Good luck.

Title: Re: Any trouble weaning off Verapamil?
Post by IndianaJohn on Sep 5^th, 2004, 11:39am

Depakot really messed me up. I'm talking about a huge increase in frequency and severity in HA's. Personally I would never take it again. Glad others found relief by using it, but again, it seems your milage may vary.

Title: What Re: Any trouble weaning off Verapamil?
Post by IronHorse on Sep 5^th, 2004, 8:34pm

I think that is what I find most intersting about CHs. For the most part, we all have the same symptoms, yet the treatments are quite varied.

What works for one person, doesn't necessarily work for another.

Title: Re: Any trouble weaning off Verapamil?
Post by karma on Sep 6^th, 2004, 7:48am

This cycle is the first time I have taken any medications to try and help with the pain.
I tried Zomig tabs and saw an immediate increase in the number and severity of hits. Since I was getting no relief I stopped the Zomig and went back to my normal routine of a couple serious hits per day. They became managable with a modified version of the meditation technique that I learned here.
I got started on Verap and went to 480mg/day for about 6 days and then cut back to 240 for about 8-10 days and then stopped. No drugs now for 4 days.
I had the same twinges and stabs of pain that you guys described during the last couple of days of the Verap. Since I stopped the verap, the twinges and stabs have all but disappeared. I felt the same anxiety about stopping the Verap but decided that I needed to get med free ASAP.
Next time (god forbid) no abortives and I'm reserving judgement on the Verapamil. I'm convinved that for someone with short cycles like myself, getting started on the abortives is not a good idea.